Behind the colored part of your eye you have a natural lens, a clear, round disk that directs light onto the back of your eye. Proteins and water make up the lens, and, over time, the proteins begin to break down and lump together. This condition, called a cataract, causes the lens to turn hard and cloudy, damaging vision. Cataract surgery will clear the cataract, but certain nutrients, such as omega-3 may help prevent or slow cataract growth.
Effects
Damage to the lens occurs slowly, and you may not notice you have vision changes until many years after the cataract begins. In the early stages, you may need frequent updates to your eyeglass prescription to improve your vision. At some point, however, a new prescription will not correct your vision. You may notice that your vision appears blurry and that colors do not seem as bright. Some people also experience glare problems that affect the ability to drive at night.
Omega-3
Omega-3 is a fatty acid that has many functions in your body, such as helping the body develop. This nutrient may also help prevent or treat conditions such as high cholesterol. It is unclear whether omega-3 has a significant role in cataract prevention. In 2005, researchers evaluated omega-3 in the role of cataract prevention and found that omega-3 could help, but the study was not conclusive on the exact effectiveness of omega-3 for cataracts. In the end, the study recommended additional evaluation of the nutrient.
Recommendation
If you think omega-3 may offer some benefit in preventing or slowing cataract growth, talk with your doctor. She can help you evaluate the risks associated with omega-3, and if she thinks this is the best choice for you, she will tell you how much omega-3 to take each day.
Sources
Your doctor may recommend a daily omega-3 supplement to ensure that you have the right intake each day. Supplement options include fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules. You can also talk to your doctor about how to get the right amount of omega-3 through your diet. Food sources include fish such as mackerel, tuna and salmon. You may also eat ground flaxseed, walnuts and soybeans.
References
- American Optometric Association: Cataract
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2009
- All About Vision; Can A Healthy Diet Prevent Cataracts?; Shereen Jegtvig and Gary Heiting, OD; August 2010
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Eye Health; W. Hodge, et al.; July 2005
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